Physics A-Level
Pressure
What Pressure means in Physics A-Level, as defined for AQA, OCR.
Definitions of Pressure
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Reference: AQA
Obtained by summing over N molecules and dividing by wall area A, giving p = (1/3)ρc̄², where ρ is density and c̄² is the mean square speed.
The normal force per unit area, given by p = F/A, where F is the force perpendicular to the surface and A is the area.
The force per unit area exerted by molecules colliding with the walls of the container.
Topics that use Pressure
- Molecular kinetic theory model (A-level only) (AQA A-Level)
- Density and pressure (OCR A-Level)
- Ideal gases (OCR A-Level)
Related terms
- Absolute zero
- Assumptions of ideal-gas behaviour
- Assumptions of kinetic theory
- Avogadro constant
- Boltzmann constant
- Brownian motion
- Collisions and resultant forces
- Conservation of momentum
Using Pressure in the exam
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